Photos: A soldier's best friend

Giselle is much healthier than most of the stray dogs that soldiers adopt in Afghanistan.

At combat outposts in Iraq and Afghanistan, soldiers often adopt a stray neighborhood dog or two. They provide a huge morale boost for the soldiers there even if they're ornery, diseased and mangy, as the dogs often are.

In Kandahar City, Giselle is the exception — she is healthy, friendly and affectionate.

Soldiers from Apache Troop, 1-10 Cavalry, keep Gisele at their small outpost in the northern part of the city. About the size of a Jack Russell terrier, she trots along with soldiers on patrol every day.